Just before the rumored lip-sync, She gave the president a hug and cheek-peck at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington on Monday.

Just before the rumored lip-sync, She gave the president a hug and cheek-peck at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington on Monday.

Photo: AP

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Beyonce during the rumored lip-syncing of the National Anthem.

Beyonce during the rumored lip-syncing of the National Anthem.

Photo: AP

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"The Voice: Season 6" judge Shakira is catching heat for apparently lip-syncing the words to her new song "Empire" on the April 22 episode of the show (which, is kind of supposed to be about true artists showcasing their real voices). less

"The Voice: Season 6" judge Shakira is catching heat for apparently lip-syncing the words to her new song "Empire" on the April 22 episode of the show (which, is kind of supposed to be about true artists ... more

The band's defense? They say the Super Bowl big wigs didn't want to deal with the technical and audio problems that could arise, since the RHCP were only playing one song. Flea went on to say playing at the Super Bowl was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so they went ahead and did it. But not before going on stage with their guitars unplugged.

They're not the only ones whose performances landed them in hot water. Keep clicking to see other stars who were entangled in lip-syncing controversy. less

There is nothing more disrespectful than pretend singing our national anthem, right Whitney Houston?

There is nothing more disrespectful than pretend singing our national anthem, right Whitney Houston?

Photo: MATT SAYLES

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Update: Marine band backs off Beyonce lip-sync statement

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So, we’re back to “Did she or didn’t she?” and it sounds like someone got into a little bit of hot water.

The question of whether Beyonce lip-synced the National Anthem at the Obama/Biden inauguration has been raging all day. Earlier a Marine Corps band spokesperson said "it was her (Beyonce's) decision to use pre-recorded music." And, in an interview with NBC, added that pre-recorded music did include vocals.

According to the AP, Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Gregory Wolf said that because there was no opportunity for Beyonce to rehearse with the Marine Band, it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill advised. Instead they used a pre-recorded track for the band's portion of the song.

"Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter's vocal performance," Wolf's statement to the AP continued, "no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded."

A representative for Beyonce did not respond to the AP’s requests for comment.

The previous version of this story:

Media sources have been spreading the rumor all morning that Beyonce lip-synced the National Anthem during President Barack Obama's 2nd inauguration, and Entertainment on Today has nailed down the story.

And it's true, she did not live sing the song and the performance that everyone was raving about was a shell.

NBC reports: The public affairs chief for the United States Marine Band confirmed that "it was her (Beyonce's) decision to use pre-recorded music." That pre-recorded music did include vocals, DuBois clarified.

Well, heck.

Master Sgt. Kristin DuBois said, USA Today adds, that they were "surprised" to be given instructions during the ceremonies to stand and pretend to play.

But what does it mean? Other than she was being a little overly cautious?

The Times of London says it's nothing new. Yo Yo Ma pre-recorded his cello performance in 2008 because of the weather. Vocal performers, however, typically do perform live despite January's icy conditions.

"We did pre-record it and it was Beyonce's decision at the last minute to go with the pre-recorded version," said a spokeswoman for the band

Okay, fine. She really nailed the song, prerecorded or not ... and it also shows that she's a darn good actor. All's well that ends well, we say.